After school academy aims to complement classroom learning

Aiming to provide students with learning experiences beyond traditional classroom settings, three Sonoma nonprofit organizations have collaborated to offer an academy that promotes social-emotional learning, resiliency and leadership skills.

The After School Empowerment Academy, which had a soft opening in December, officially kicked off in February at Sonoma Valley High School’s Mentoring Alliance Center and G Wing. It is being offered free of charge by Sonoma Valley Educational Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley and Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance.

“The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation funds and serves as a strategic partner in the program’s evolution,” said Angela Ryan, executive director of Sonoma Valley Education Foundation. “The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley leads the planning and execution of the different empowerment academy programs and the mentoring alliance provides on-site supervision through trained staff and an easy-to-access space for students on campus.

“Both partners leverage their trusted relationships with students to encourage attendance.”

Ryan said that the academy can help to fill a gap in student learning and achievement.

“Long gone are the days of measuring success solely by a grade on a report card,” she said. “We know that true success for our students is the opportunity to explore who they are and what they want to become in a safe, resourced and inclusive environment. The After School Empowerment Academy reflects this sentiment by offering programs that develop the whole student — socially and emotionally, practically and academically.”

The academy consists of four programs: Ready to Work, Driver’s Ed, Money Matters and Keystone Leadership & Advocacy (see sidebar).

All Sonoma Valley and Creekside high school students are allowed to participate in the programs, which are offered on Monday and Wednesday from the time school lets out (2:30 or 2:35 p.m.) until 5 p.m. A carpool service is provided for students who want to then participate in Teen Services programming at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley until 7 p.m.

Brooke Finley, program director for the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, said that the academy is an extension of its mentoring program.

“Our mentoring model incorporates the importance of learning outside the classroom,” she said. “We have a Road Map to Your Future program where we introduce mentees to Facebook, Salesforce, Sonoma Valley Hospital and the fire and police departments … different work environments that help students expand their minds and show them the different job opportunities available when they graduate.

“Through the academy, we can now bring the ideas and the experienced speakers to the mentees, providing even more opportunities for their future. We can begin to see their interests and support them by providing guidance.”

Eric Gonzalez, vice president of Teen Services at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, said the academy is complementing its other programs.

“The empowerment academy provides our teens with valuable opportunities for personal growth, skill development and academic support,” he said. “The program’s focus on empowering young people and helping them thrive aligns perfectly with our mission.”

The academy is a continuation of a program introduced by the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley at the Teen Center last summer. Designed to develop social-emotional learning, leadership skills and resiliency, it attracted 86 students and was so successful that it inspired the foundation and clubs to invite the mentoring alliance to join the effort and make the program available to students during the school year.

“Expanding the empowerment academy to after-school hours allows us to offer our teens consistent and high-quality programming throughout the year,” Gonzalez said. “It ensures local teens have access to resources and support to help them succeed academically, socially and emotionally. Adding the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance to the partnership further expands he potential impact the empowerment academy can have on teens who decide to participate.”

Gonzalez said that he knew that last summer’s program was only “scratching the surface” of its potential impact.

“This year, with our programs now conveniently located on campus, students will have increased opportunities to engage in them and take full advantage of our resources,” he said. “We are confident this new format will allow us to make an even greater difference with the teens we aim to serve.”

He said that although the programs are offered at no charge, consistent with other Teen Center offerings, participants are provided with opportunities to give back to the community.

“We hold them accountable for the fact that their service back to the community is their payment for the programs and services we provide,” he said. “Still, we never want costs to discourage teens from participating in our programs.”

Twenty-nine students are registered for the After School Empowerment Academy — eight seniors, five juniors, 10 sophomores and six freshmen, During the first few weeks, an average of 26 students per day have participated.

Ryan is inspired by the number of students who actively seek resources such as the empowerment academy and the mentoring alliance to better understand and care for themselves.

“Our community has asked us for more and better collaboration between our organizations, and we’re proud to be doing precisely that with empowerment academy and ready-to-learn programs,” she said. “We hope the community recognizes our intentional efforts to avoid duplication, fill gaps and continue investing in these innovative solutions.”

Reach the reporter, Dan Johnson, at daniel.johnson@sonomanews.com.